Skip to main content

Duolingo Invests in World-Class Motion Design with Acquisition of Animade

Award-winning London studio expands Duolingo’s creative capabilities to build even more engaging learning experiences

PITTSBURGH, Aug. 13, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Duolingo, Inc. (Nasdaq: DUOL), the world’s leading mobile learning platform, announced today it has acquired Animade, a London-based animation and motion design studio recognized for its work in product storytelling, brand, interactive experiences, and character animation. The acquisition expands Duolingo’s Design Studio, strengthening a capability that has become increasingly important to delivering engaging product experiences and accelerating innovation.

“Great products aren’t defined only by what they do, but by how they make people feel,” said Mig Reyes, Head of Design at Duolingo. “Motion design has become a core part of how we help learners understand, enjoy, and return to Duolingo every day. Animade has built a reputation for exceptional creative craft, and bringing their team into Duolingo is an investment in the people and capabilities that will help us build even better learning experiences.”

Founded in London, Animade has built an international reputation for creating expressive motion systems, interactive experiences, and product storytelling for some of the world’s leading technology companies and brands. The team will join Duolingo’s Design Studio, increasing the company’s capacity to support product innovation, Growth experiments, and new creative initiatives across the business. The acquisition also expands Duolingo’s creative presence in the UK, reinforcing its continued investment in world-class talent.

“Since day one, Animade has been on a mission to share joy through thoughtful design and animation,” said Jen Judd, Co-Founder of Animade. “I can’t think of a more exciting place to continue that mission than at Duolingo. We’ve always believed it’s the thoughtful moments that leave a lasting impression, and that great design and bringing personality into every pixel can make technology feel more human. We’re thrilled to join a company that shares our passion for creativity, craft, and building products that genuinely bring people joy.”

As AI continues to accelerate how software is built, Duolingo believes exceptional human creativity remains a critical differentiator. By investing in world-class design talent, the company is strengthening its ability to create intuitive, delightful experiences that help millions of learners stay motivated and achieve their goals.

About Duolingo
Duolingo is the leading mobile learning platform globally. Its flagship app has organically become the world’s most popular way to learn languages and the top-grossing app in the Education category on both Google Play and the Apple App Store. With technology at the core of everything it does, Duolingo has consistently invested to provide learners a fun, engaging, and effective learning experience while remaining committed to its mission to develop the best education in the world and make it universally available.

About Animade
Animade is an animation and design studio based in London with a love for character, distilled design and pixel-perfect motion, creating expressive work for brands and agencies of all sizes. We’ve been helping our partners solve creative challenges since our doors opened in 2010. We believe in the power of character. Our designs and animations are packed with personality and thoughtful moments that leave a lasting impression.

Contact Information

Investors:
Deborah Belevan
ir@duolingo.com

Media:
Michelle Scully
press@duolingo.com

Disclaimer & Cookie Notice

Welcome to GOLDEA services for Professionals

Before you continue, please confirm the following:

Professional advisers only

I am a professional adviser and would like to visit the GOLDEA CAPITAL for Professionals website.

Important Notice for Investors:

The services and products offered by Goldalea Capital Ltd. are intended exclusively for professional market participants as defined by applicable laws and regulations. This typically includes institutional investors, qualified investors, and high-net-worth individuals who have sufficient knowledge, experience, resources, and independence to assess the risks of trading on their own.

No Investment Advice:

The information, analyses, and market data provided are for general information purposes only and do not constitute individual investment advice. They should not be construed as a basis for investment decisions and do not take into account the specific investment objectives, financial situation, or individual needs of any recipient.

High Risks:

Trading in financial instruments is associated with significant risks and may result in the complete loss of the invested capital. Goldalea Capital Ltd. accepts no liability for losses incurred as a result of the use of the information provided or the execution of transactions.

Sole Responsibility:

The decision to invest or not to invest is solely the responsibility of the investor. Investors should obtain comprehensive information about the risks involved before making any investment decision and, if necessary, seek independent advice.

No Guarantees:

Goldalea Capital Ltd. makes no warranties or representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information provided. Markets are subject to constant change, and past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

Regional Restrictions:

The services offered by Goldalea Capital Ltd. may not be available to all persons or in all countries. It is the responsibility of the investor to ensure that they are authorized to use the services offered.

Please note: This disclaimer is for general information purposes only and does not replace individual legal or tax advice.